Issues: Youth

Campaign Launched in February Wins Additional $2.1 Million for Youth Shelters

Senator Enlisted Support of Singer Miley Cyrus on Social Media

Hoylman: “New funding reverses years of cuts that have forced thousands of New York kids to sleep on the streets”

NEW YORK – Last night the New York State Legislature voted to include $4.5 million for homeless youth shelters in the 2015-16 budget, $2.1 million more than previous years and the first appreciable increase in funding for such shelters since 2008.

Allocation of $4.5 million in state budget marks first appreciable increase in homeless youth shelter funding since 2008

Hoylman: “Miley Cyrus’ advocacy on behalf of homeless kids is a perfect example of how star power can be used to help others”

NEW YORK - State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said: “No kid should ever be turned away from a youth shelter due to overcrowding. That’s why I’m grateful to the Governor and the legislative leaders for including $4.5 million in the final budget agreement to help provide for new shelter beds. If approved, this will be the first appreciable increase in funding for homeless youth shelters since 2008 and help reverse years of cuts.

Today, I joined kinship caregivers and kinship advocates in announcing that September 2015 will be Kinship Care Month in New York. We are fortunate to live in a state that is among the leaders nationwide in recognizing kinship caregivers for stepping up to raise at-risk youth. I applaud all those who take the time to give New York's children the care, attention and love they need to become healthy adults.

Senator Bonacic met this morning with two representatives from the Frost Valley YMCA. The representatives were in Albany as part of YMCA Advocacy Day. The discussion focused on wellness for youth and funding priorities. The Frost Valley YMCA is located in Claryville, NY, and is one of the premier outdoor camping, group retreat, and environmental education centers in our great state.

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Bill Chong today announced that DYCD will accept applications for the 2015 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) from Monday, March 2 through Friday, April 10, 2015. SYEP, the nation’s largest summer youth employment initiative, provides New York City young people between the ages of 14 and 24 with up to six weeks of entry-level experience at worksites in all five boroughs. Participants are selected by lottery for the program, which runs from July 6 through August 15.

BRONX, NY - Celebrating the hard work and achievement of this year’s graduating class of Primavera Italian Language students, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) was honored for his critical funding support and outstanding dedication to the language program at today’s graduation ceremony at the School of St. Benedict.

Threshold to Qualify for Subsidies Would Rise, Providing Much Needed Relief For Families

With Help, Parents Would No Longer Have to Make Choice Between Job and Child Care

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) today announced a push for money in this year’s budget to be allocated for child care subsidies for families in Erie County with incomes of up to 275% of the federal poverty level. Currently, these subsidies are only provided to families within the county with incomes of up to 200% by the Department of Social Services. In a letter to Governor Cuomo, Kennedy asked for the state to set aside $2.5 million in the budget in order to expand its subsidy program into Erie County.

Special Recognition for Senator Klein in Establishing SUV Program in the Bronx

BRONX, NY - State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) was today honored for his outstanding commitment to and continued funding support for the Stand Up to Violence (SUV) Program at the 2015 North Bronx Healthcare Network Legislative Forum at Jacobi Medical Center.

Hoylman: "It’s time for New York State to protect our kids and families from this abusive scam"

New York, NY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said: “Yesterday's decision by a New Jersey Superior Court that so-called ‘conversion therapy’ providers are perpetrating consumer fraud is yet another reason why it’s essential that New York State ban this completely discredited and harmful practice.

“Well-meaning parents of LGBT kids are being duped by quack therapists into spending tens of thousands of dollars to ‘cure’ kids who have nothing wrong with them. As the court found, the ‘therapy’ doesn’t work because being gay isn’t a disease or disorder, it’s perfectly natural.

ALBANY, 02/10/15 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) today met at his Capitol office with members of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau.

“Youth Bureau programs are cost effective and enhance the quality of life in our rural communities along with developing future leaders,” said Senator Seward. “The preventive benefits these programs produce are immeasurable and the confidence they give the students involved is truly special. I am proud that a legislative grant I secured a decade ago helped initiate the Schoharie County program and I will continue to advocate for continued state funding for this and other vital youth programs.”

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) announced today the passage of legislation which amends the social services law in order to increase the confidentiality of families named in child fatality reports. If enacted, the law would require local social services departments to make sure any comments made in the report protect the confidentiality of the deceased child, the child’s family and the source of the report. In the past, concerns have been voiced about state officials not releasing fatality reports due to an inability to redact these identities and other sensitive case information.

“I always take any opportunity to visit a local YMCA. The organization shares a valuable, wholesome vision with our youth and I am honored to take a chance to be a part of that,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. “Most recently, I visited P.S.

Klein, Sepúlveda, Community and Faith Leaders, Families and Children Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany

BRONX, NY – State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), together with Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda (D-Bronx) and District Leader Julia Rodriguez hosted the 2nd annual Three Kings Day celebration this past Saturday, January 11th. More than 200 community members, families and children came together to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany -- featuring a special appearance by a talented magician, music by the Church of the Holy Family choir and school choir, an animated narration of the nativity scene and a fun-filled toy giveaway for children.

"Chanukah is the celebration of miracles, a reminder that all things are possible," Senator Parker said. "As you celebrate the spirit of Chanukah with friends and family, I wish you health, happiness and good fortune." The holiday celebrates a legendary victory of the Maccabees, a band of Jews, over a Greek army that occupied the Holy Land. After the battle, the victorious Maccabees found only a one day supply of oil in the temple to light the lamps. But the oil burned miraculously for eight days, the story says.

What an exciting day for Bivona Child Advocacy Center and its local partners as they broke ground on their new home at One Mt Hope Avenue in the City of Rochester. This is an incredible project that will renovate one of the oldest commercial buildings in our community, and will benefit everyone at Bivona and their partners. Congratulations and I can't wait to be back for the ribbon cutting!